What's For Dinner Tonight? Sancocho

Sancocho is a traditional soup/stew served in many Latin American countries. This version is most like what is served in Colombia. The cassava root is a starchy staple of South American cuisine. Tapioca is made from cassava root. You can find it in Hispanic markets. If you cannot find cassava (also called yucca), look for malanga, dasheen, or sweet potatoes. You can find plantains at most grocery stores now. They look kind of like long, green bananas, but they may also be yellow or black.

Sancocho

2 1/2 quarts water
1 tablespoon water
1/4 cup fresh cilantro
4 cloves garlic, crushed
6 chicken leg quarters
2 plantains, peeled and cut into 6 pieces
1 large onion, chopped
2 pounds potatoes, peeled
3 pounds fresh cassava root, cut into 6 pieces
2 tablespoons olive oil

4 large onions, peeled and thinly sliced
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon salt
1 pound tomatoes, chopped


Add water, salt, cilantro. chicken, plantains, and onions to large pot. Bring to a boil and cook for about 15 minutes. Add potatoes and cassava and cook another 25 minutes, or until potatoes are tender.

Meanwhile, heat oil in large skillet. Cook onions and season with cumin, paprika, and salt. Stir in tomatoes and remove from heat.

Spoon chicken into bowls and top with tomato and onions.

This is a great if you're looking for a meal with a lot of flavor wit ha Latin flair. It goes great with a really crusty bread for dipping.


Serves 6. Ready in: 1 hour.

Happy Eating!

An Irish Feast For St. Patty's Day!

Corned beef is a brined cut of beef, usually brisket, that was made popular by Irish immigrants in America. It has become a traditional food for St. Patrick's Day in America.  Make sure your corned beef is trimmed of fat for this stew. The corned beef makes excellent leftovers, especially as a sandwich.

Crock Pot Corned Beef And Veggies

4 large potatoes, cubed

3 pounds corned beef

1 large onion, quartered

4 large carrots, cut into 2 inch pieces

1 bay leaf

1 small cabbage

4 cups beef broth

3 tablespoons brown mustard

1/3 cup dark brown sugar

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Small handful of fresh dill, chopped

Place potatoes on bottom of crock pot. Lay beef on top. Surround beef with onions, carrots, and bay leaf. Cover everything with cabbage.

In a medium bowl, combine beef broth, mustard, sugar, pepper and dill, pour on top of beef and cabbage.

Cook on high for about 8 hours. Serve topped with additional dill.

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Soda bread is a sweet, flaky, round loaf of bread made with buttermilk. If you'd like, add about a half of a cup of raisins while kneading the dough.

Irish Soda Bread

4 cups all purpose flour

4 tablespoons white sugar

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 tablespoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup butter, softened

1 cup buttermilk

1 large egg

3 tablespoons butter, melted

3 tablespoons buttermilk

Preheat over to 350 degrees.

In a large bowl, mix together flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and softened butter. Stir in one cup of the buttermilk and egg. Place dough on a lightly floured surface and knead slightly. Form dough into a round shape and place on a lightly greased baking sheet.

In a small bowl, combine melted butter with remaining buttermilk. Brush this mixture on top of dough. Use a sharp knife to cut an X into the top of the dough.

Bake for 50-60 minutes, brushing the top of the loaf periodically with butter/buttermilk mixture.

Serves 10. Total prep time: 1 hour, 10 minutes.